Mask for plating metals and method of construction thereof

Abstract

A two-part reusable mask to protect objects to be plated. The mask can be used for painting, chemical treatment or other treatments. By adjusting the shape of the mask, any object can be plated. In the case of coins or medallions, a two sided mask is formed. For use with coins, the coin is laid on a piece of glass. A dam is formed around the coin. A quantity of ultraviolet-sensitive liquid polymer is poured on and around the coin. The dam is covered with another piece of glass and the mold is clamped and cured. The mold is removed and an exact copy of the coin is left in the rubber. The rubber mask is then placed on a hard surface and the areas to be plated are cut out. After the mask is cut out, it is placed back over the coin and aligned. A piece of clear, hard plastic is bonded to the rubber using a clear adhesive. After the glue is cured, the plastic is cut out to match the corresponding pattern cut in the rubber. The mask is then ready to use. An electrode may be implanted in one of the masks if desired, to improve plating. Also, clamping surfaces may be added to the outside of the mask as desired.

I claim: 
     
       1. A mask for selectively plating specific areas of a piece of metal comprising: a) a first mask part, including a rubberized mold, and a hard plastic mold cover, said hard plastic mold cover being fixedly attached to said rubberized mold, said rubberized mold and said hard plastic mold cover having an area therein cut in a specific pattern for applying plating metal to the specific areas of said piece of metal;   b) a second mask part, including a rubberized mold, and a hard plastic mold cover, said hard plastic mold cover being fixedly attached to said rubberized mold, said rubberized mold and said hard plastic mold cover having an area therein cut in a specific pattern for applying plating metal to the specific areas of said piece of metal;   c) means for securing and holding said first mask part and said second mask part about said piece of metal; and   d) an electrode, fixedly attached to said second mask part such that said electrode is in electrical communication with said piece of metal when said second mask part is secured to said piece of metal for plating.   
     
     
       2. The mask of claim 1 wherein the means for securing and holding said first mask part and said second mask part about said piece of metal comprises a clamp. 
     
     
       3. The mask of claim 2 further comprising a means for supporting a clamp, fixedly attached to said first and said second mask parts. 
     
     
       4. The mask of claim 3 wherein the clamp supporting means comprises: a) a first pair of metal strips fixedly attached to said first mask part; and   b) a second pair of metal strips fixedly attached to said second mask part.   
     
     
       5. The mask of claim 4 wherein said first pair of metal strips are perpendicular on said first mask part, and said second pair of metal strips are perpendicular on said second mask part. 
     
     
       6. A mask for selectively plating specific areas of a piece of metal having two sides, each side having a shaped form, comprising: a) a first mask part, including a rubberized mold, reflecting the shaped form of one side of said piece of metal, and a hard plastic mold cover, said hard plastic mold cover being fixedly attached to said rubberized mold, said rubberized mold and said hard plastic mold cover having an area therein cut in a specific pattern for applying plating metal to the specific areas of said piece of metal;   b) a second mask part, including a rubberized mold, reflecting the shaped form of the other side of said piece of metal, and a hard plastic mold cover, said hard plastic mold cover being fixedly attached to said rubberized mold, said rubberized mold and said hard plastic mold cover having an area therein cut in a specific pattern for applying plating metal to the specific areas of said piece of metal;   c) means for securing and holding said first mask part and said second mask part about said piece of metal; and   d) an electrode, fixedly attached to said second mask part such that said electrode is in electrical communication with said piece of metal when said second mask part is secured to said piece of metal for plating.   
     
     
       7. The mask of claim 6 wherein the means for securing and holding said first mask part and said second mask part about said piece of metal comprises a clamp. 
     
     
       8. The mask of claim 7 further comprising a means for supporting a clamp, fixedly attached to said first and said second mask parts. 
     
     
       9. The mask of claim 8 wherein the clamp supporting means comprises: a) a first pair of metal strips fixedly attached to said first mask part; and   b) a second pair of metal strips fixedly attached to said second mask part.   
     
     
       10. The mask of claim 9 wherein said first pair of metal strips are attached perpendicularly on said first mask part, and said second pair of metal strips are attached perpendicularly on said second mask part. 
     
     
       11. The mask of claim 10 further comprising a first clamping pad fixedly attached to said first pair of metal strips; and a second clamping pad fixedly attached to said second pair of metal strips. 
     
     
       12. The method of forming a mask for selectively plating specific areas of a piece of metal comprising the steps of: a) placing the piece of metal into a mold form;   b) applying a curable, rubberized polymer to one side of said piece of metal;   c) curing said rubberized polymer, thereby forming a rubberized mold;   d) removing said rubberized mold from said mold form;   e) selectively removing areas of said rubberized mold as desired;   f) attaching said rubberized mold to a hard plastic mold cover;   g) selectively removing areas of said hard plastic mold cover, corresponding to the areas removed from said rubberized mold, to produce a mask for one side of the piece of metal; and   h) fixedly attaching an electrode to said mask.   
     
     
       13. The method of claim 12 further comprising the steps of: a) inverting the piece of metal in the mold form; and   b) repeating steps b-g of claim 14, to create a mask for the other side of the piece of metal.   
     
     
       14. The method of claim 12 wherein the step of fixedly attaching an electrode to the mask further comprises placing the electrode on said mask such that said electrode is in electrical communication with the piece of metal to be plated. 
     
     
       15. The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of fixedly attaching at least one clamp support to said mask. 
     
     
       16. The method of claim 15 wherein the step of fixedly attaching at least one clamp support to said mask comprises the steps of: a) attaching a first strip of metal to said mask;   b) attaching a second strip of metal to said mask, such that said first and second strips of metal are perpendicular and meet in a center point; and   c) forming a clamp pad on said center point of said first and second strips of metal.   
     
     
       17. The method of claim 12 wherein said mold form includes: a flat plate; and a form, adjustably attached to said plate having an opening therein for receiving and surrounding the piece of metal to be plated.